CONTENTS

 

                                                                                                                                        Page

 

1.                  INTRODUCTION                                                                                               1-1

1.1       Background                                                                                              1-1 

1.2       Location and Description of the Project                                                     1-1

1.3       Requirements under the Environmental Impact Assessment

            Ordinance                                                                                                 1-1

1.4       Purpose and Objective of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

            Study                                                                                                        1-2

1.5       Approach of the EIA Study                                                                       1-3

1.6       Structure of the EIA Report                                                                       1-4

 

2.                  PROJECT DESCRIPTION                                                                                  2-1

2.1       Background                                                                                              2-1

2.2       Location and Description of the Project                                                     2-1

2.3       Need for the Project                                                                                  2-3

2.4       Consideration of Alternative Drainage Options, Channel

            Alignments and Designs                                                                             2-7

2.5       Ancillary Infrastructure                                                                              2-27

2.6       Construction Related Aspects                                                                   2-29

2.7       Implementation Programme                                                                      2-30

2.8       Consideration of Alternative Construction Methods and Sequencing

            of Works                                                                                                 2-30

2.9       Project Interfaces / Concurrent Projects                                                    2-33

2.10     Scope of Works during Operational Phase                                                2-33

2.11     Management and Maintenance Responsibilities                                          2-34

2.12     Continuous Public Involvement                                                                 2-36

2.13     Summary of the Final Channel Design Recommendations                           3-38

 

3.                  AIR QUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT                                                          3-1

3.1       Introduction                                                                                               3-1

3.2       Air Quality Assessment Criteria                                                                 3-1

3.3       Study Area                                                                                                3-2

3.4       Air Sensitive Receivers                                                                              3-3

3.5       Baseline Air Quality                                                                                   3-4

3.6       Construction Phase Impact Assessment                                                     3-5

3.7       Operational Phase Impact Assessment                                                       3-7

3.8       Mitigation Measures                                                                                  3-8

3.9       Cumulative Impacts                                                                                  3-10

3.10     Monitoring and Audit Requirements                                                          3-10

3.11     Summary                                                                                                  3-11

 

4.                  NOISE IMPACT ASSESSMENT                                                                       4-1

4.1       Introduction                                                                                               4-1

4.2       Noise Criteria                                                                                            4-1

4.3       Study Area                                                                                                4-4

4.4       Representative Noise Sensitive Receivers                                                   4-5

4.5       Construction Noise Impact Assessment                                                     4-6

4.6       Operational Noise Impact Assessment                                                       4-9

4.7       Mitigation Measures                                                                                 4-16

4.8       Residual Impact                                                                                        4-23

4.9       Cumulative Impact                                                                                    4-24

4.10     Monitoring and Audit Requirements                                                          4-24

4.11     Summary                                                                                                  4-25

 

5.                  WATER QUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT                                                   5-1

5.1       Introduction                                                                                               5-1

5.2       Environmental Legislation, Policies, Standards and Criteria                         5-1

5.3       Study Area                                                                                                5-1

5.4       Baseline Water Quality Conditions of the Study Area                                 5-2

5.5       Water Sensitive Receivers                                                                         5-8

5.6       Potential Impacts during Construction Phase                                              5-9

5.7       Mitigation Measures for Construction Phase                                              5-11

5.8       Potential Impacts during Operational Phase                                               5-16

5.9       Mitigation Measures for Operational Phase                                               5-19

5.10     Residual and Cumulative Impacts                                                              5-21

5.11     Monitoring and Audit Requirement                                                            5-21

5.12     Summary                                                                                                  5-23

5.13     References                                                                                               5-23

 

6.                  WASTE MANAGEMENT                                                                                  6-1

6.1       Introduction                                                                                               6-1

6.2       Relevant Legislation, Policies, Standards and Criteria                                 6-1

6.3       Assessment Methodology                                                                          6-4

6.4       Sources and Types of Waste arising from the Project                                 6-5

6.5       Mitigation Measures                                                                                 6-14

6.6       Operational Waste                                                                                   6-24

6.7       Evaluation of Residual Impacts                                                                  6-24

6.8       Environmental Audit                                                                                 6-25

6.9       Summary                                                                                                  6-25

 

7.                  ECOLOGICAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT                                                          7-1

7.1       Introduction                                                                                               7-1

7.2       Relevant Legislation and Guidelines                                                            7-1

7.3       Study Area                                                                                                7-2

7.4       Field Survey Scope and Methodology                                                       7-2

7.5       Recognised Site of Conservation Importance                                             7-3

7.6       Results                                                                                                      7-4

7.7       Evaluation of Habitats and Species                                                            7-13

7.8       Impact Identification and Evaluation                                                          7-20

7.9       Impact Avoidance and Mitigation Measures                                              7-25

7.10     Residual Ecological Impacts                                                                      7-27

7.11     Ecological Monitoring and Audit                                                               7-28

7.12     Summary                                                                                                  7-28

7.13     References                                                                                               7-29

 

8.                  FISHERIES IMPACT ASSESSMENT                                                                8-1

8.1       Introduction                                                                                               8-1

8.2       Legislation                                                                                                 8-2

8.3       Study Area                                                                                                8-2

8.4       Methodologies for Baseline Establishment and Assessment                         8-2

8.5       Baseline Conditions                                                                                   8-3

8.6       Impact Identification and Evaluation                                                           8-5

8.7       Mitigation of Impacts                                                                                 8-7

8.8       Residual Impacts                                                                                       8-8

8.9       Environmental Monitoring and Audit                                                          8-8

8.10     Summary                                                                                                   8-8

            References                                                                                                8-9

 

9.                  LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT                                   9-1

9.1       Introduction                                                                                               9-1

9.2       Legislation                                                                                                 9-1

9.3       Assessment Methodology                                                                          9-2

9.4       Existing Site Condition                                                                               9-9

9.5       Description of the Proposed Development                                                9-10

9.6       Baseline Study                                                                                          9-11

9.7       Review of Planning and Development Control Framework                        9-18

9.8       Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment                                                9-18

9.9       Recommended Landscape Mitigation Measures                                        9-29

9.10     Residual Impacts and Acceptability of the Proposed Improvement

            Works                                                                                                     9-34

9.11     Environmental Monitoring and Audit Requirements                                    9-38

9.12     Summary                                                                                                  9-39

 

10.              ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND AUDIT REQUIREMENTS          10-1

10.1     Introduction                                                                                              10-1

10.2     Background                                                                                             10-1

10.3     Environmental Management                                                                      10-2

10.4     Project Organisation                                                                                 10-2

10.5     Construction Programme                                                                          10-3

10.6     Air Quality                                                                                               10-3

10.7     Noise                                                                                                       10-4

10.8     Water Quality                                                                                           10-5

10.9     Waste Management                                                                                  10-7

10.10   Ecology                                                                                                    10-8

10.11   Fisheries                                                                                                   10-8

10.12   Landscape and Visual                                                                               10-8

10.13   Other Information                                                                                     10-9

 

11.              SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL OUTCOMES                                        11-1

11.1     Justification and Benefits of the Project                                                      11-1

11.2     Population and Environmental Sensitive Areas Protected                           11-1

11.3     Environmental Friendly Design Recommended                                          11-2

11.4     Key Environmental Problems Avoided                                                      11-4

11.5     Compensation Areas Included                                                                  11-5

11.6     Environmental Benefits of Environmental Protection Measures

            Recommended                                                                                         11-5

 

12.              CONCLUSION                                                                                                  12-1

12.1     Background                                                                                             12-1

12.2     Location and Description of the Project                                                    12-1

12.3     Channel Design                                                                                        12-2

12.4     Justification and Benefits of the Project                                                      12-2

12.5     Key Environmental Issues                                                                         12-3

12.6     Air Quality Impact                                                                                    12-3

12.7     Noise Impact                                                                                           12-4

12.8     Water Quality Impact                                                                               12-4

12.9     Waste Management                                                                                  12-5

12.10   Ecological Impact                                                                                     12-6

12.11   Fisheries Impact                                                                                       12-6

12.12   Landscape and Visual Impact                                                                   12-7

12.13   Environmental Monitoring and Audit (EM&A)                                          12-7

12.14   Overall Conclusion                                                                                   12-8

 

END OF TEXT

 

 

PLATES

 

Plate 1              Majority of the dwellings in Hang Hau Tsuen are tin-sheeted and/or wooden structures on low-lying land.

Plate 2              Polluted water from upstream San Hing Tsuen Channel

Plate 3              Polluted water from upstream Fung Kong Tsuen Channel

Plate 4              Water from San Hing Tsuen Channel and Fung Kong Tsuen Channel merges and drains into Hang Hau Tsuen stream via a single cell box culvert underneath Deep Bay Road

Plate 5              Mangroves found along Hang Hau Tsuen stream

Plate 6              Container yard near the Project area

Plate 7              Abandoned fishpond within the Coastal Protection Area zone

Plate 8              Inter-tidal mudflats and clusters of mangrove stands along the Deep Bay coastline

Plate 9              Localised flooding within Hang Hau Tsuen during high tide

Plate 10            Collapsed footbridge (16 June 2008)

Plate 11            Collapsed footbridge (16 June 2008)

 

APPENDICES

 

Appendix 1      EIA Study Brief

Appendix 2.1   Flood Risk Map for Hang Hau Tsuen

Appendix 4.1   Details of Construction Noise Impact Assessment

Appendix 4.2   Details of Traffic Noise Impact Assessment

Appendix 5      Water Quality Testing Results

Appendix 6.1   Sediment Quality Testing Results

Appendix 6.2   Construction and Demolition Materials Management Plan (C&DMMP)

Appendix 7      Details of Ecological Impact Assessment

Appendix 7.1   Plant species recorded in the Study Area

Appendix 7.2   Avifauna species and their cumulative abundance recorded in the Study Area

Appendix 7.3   Butterfly species and their cumulative abundance recorded in the Assessment Area

Appendix 7.4   Dragonfly species and their cumulative abundance recorded in the Assessment Area

Appendix 7.5   Herpetofauna and mammal within the Study Area

Appendix 7.6   Results of transect survey on the mudflats

Appendix 11    Project Implementation Schedule

 

 

LIST OF TABLES

 

Table 2.1         Alternative Draiange Options Considered for the Proposed Hang Hau Tsuen Channel

Table 2.2         Summary of the Evaluation of Alternative Drainage Options for the Proposed Hang Hau Tsuen Channel

Table 2.3         Summary of the Evaluation of Alternative Channel Bed / Embankment Lining Options

Table 2.4         Major Design Characteristics and Environmental Friendly Measures Adopted in the Proposed Hang Hau Tsuen Channel

Table 2.5         Tentative Programme

Table 2.6         Proposed Management and Maintenance Responsibilities

Table 2.7         Summary of Continuous Public Involvement

Table 2.8         Summary of Public Consultation

 

Table 3.1 Hong Kong Air Quality Objectives (AQOs)

Table 3.2 Representative Air Sensitive Receiver (ASR)

Table 3.3         Average Background Air Pollutants Concentrations at EPD’s Yuen Long Station

Table 3.4                      Representative ASRs chosen for Air Quality Monitoring during Construction Phase

 

Table 4.1         EIAO-TM Daytime Construction Noise Standards

Table 4.2         Road Traffic Noise Criteria

Table 4.3         Representative Noise Sensitive Receivers (NSRs)

Table 4.4         Predicted Noise Level during Construction of Hang Hau Tsuen Channel – Unmitigated

Table 4.5         Floor Levels of the NSRs

Table 4.6         Traffic Forecast in 2027 with the Project

Table 4.7         Traffic Flow Data in 2027 without the Project

Table 4.8         Predicted Hourly Traffic Noise Level L10 at the Assessment Points of Representative NSRs in 2027 with the Project

Table 4.9         Predicted Hourly Traffic Noise Level L10 at the Assessment Points of Representative NSRs in 2027 without the Project

Table 4.10       Maximum Predicted Hourly Traffic Noise Level L10 at the Representative NSRs in 2027

Table 4.11       Quiet Powered Mechanical Equipment Recommended for Use during Construction Phase

Table 4.12       Predicted Noise Level during Construction of Hang Hau Tsuen Channel – Mitigated (Level 1 mitigation: use of quiet plant)

Table 4.13       Predicted Noise Level during Construction of Hang Hau Tsuen Channel – Mitigated (Level 2 mitigation: use of quiet plant + use of noise barriers)

Table 4.14       Summary of Proposed Construction Noise Mitigation Measures

Table 4.15       Representative NSRs chosen for Noise Monitoring during Construction Phase

 

Table 5.1          Field Observations of the Inland Water Bodies in the Study Area

Table 5.2          Results of Water Quality Sampling at Hang Hau Tsuen Stream

Table 5.3          Summary of EPD Marine Water Quality Data for Deep Bay (DM3) from 2005 to 2007

Table 5.4          Water Quality Monitoring Stations during Construction Stage

 

Table 6.1          Sediment Quality Criteria for the Classification of Sediment

Table 6.2a        Results of the Sediment Testing (January 2008)

Table 6.2b        Results of the Sediment Testing (November 2008)

Table 6.3          Types of C&D Materials and Wastes Generated by the Proposed Project

Table 6.4          Summary of the Quantities of Sediment, C&D Materials and Wastes Arising from the Proposed Project

Table 6.5          Summary of the Quantities and Disposal Routes of C&D Materials and Waste Arising from the Project

Table 6.6          Preliminary Disposal Programme of the C&D Materials

 

Table 7.1          Habitats recorded within the Assessment Area

Table 7.2          Evaluation of Woodland Habitat within the Assessment Area

Table 7.3          Evaluation of Plantation Habitat within the Assessment Area

Table 7.4          Evaluation of Grassland/Shrubland Habitat within the Assessment Area

Table 7.5          Evaluation of Agricultural Land within the Assessment Area

Table 7.6          Evaluation of Ponds within the Assessment Area

Table 7.7          Evaluation of Mangrove within the Assessment Area

Table 7.8          Evaluation of Stream/Channel within the Assessment Area

Table 7.9          Evaluation of Built-up/Wasteland Habitats within the Assessment Area

Table 7.10        Evaluation of Mudflats within the Assessment Area

Table 7.11        Evaluation of Floral Species of Conservation Importance within the Assessment Area

Table 7.12        Evaluation of Faunal Species of Conservation Importance within the Assessment Area

Table 7.13        Estimated Habitat Loss

Table 7.14        Summary of Ecological Impacts and Mitigation Measures

 

Table 8.1          Construction and Operation Stage Impacts

 

Table 9.1          Landscape Elements (LEs)

Table 9.2          Landscape Character Units (LCUs)

Table 9.3          Sensitive Visual Receivers (SVRs)

Table 9.4          Summary of Disturbance to Landscape Character Units

Table 9.5          Summary of Disturbance to Landscape Elements

Table 9.6          Summary of Landscape Impact on Landscape Character Units (without Mitigation Measures)

Table 9.7          Summary of Landscape Impact on Landscape Elements (without Mitigation Measures)

Table 9.8          Summary of Visual Impacts (without Mitigation Measures)

Table 9.9          Summary of Landscape and Visual Mitigation Measures Programming Management

Table 9.10        Summary of Residual Landscape Impacts (with Landscape Mitigation Measures)

Table 9.11        Summary of Residual Visual Impacts (with Landscape Mitigation Measures)

 

Table 10.1        Representative ASRs chosen for Air Quality Monitoring during Construction Stage

Table 10.2        Representative NSRs for Noise Monitoring during Construction Stage

Table 10.3        Water Quality Monitoring Stations during Construction Stage

 

LIST OF FIGURES

 

Figure 1.1            Proposed Hang Hau Tsuen Channel at Lau Fau Shan in relation to the Coastal Protection Area

 

Figure 2.1            General Layout of Hang Hau Tsuen Channel

Figure 2.2            Sections of Hang Hau Tsuen Channel (Sheet 1 of 2)

Figure 2.3            Sections of Hang Hau Tsuen Channel (Sheet 2 of 2)

Figure 2.4            Catchment of Hang Hau Tsuen Channel

Figure 2.5            Extent of Flooding caused by Typhoon Brenda in May 1989

Figure 2.6            Original Preliminary Channel Design

Figure 2.7            Location of the Mangrove Zone and Channel Zone within Hang Hau Tsuen Channel

 

Figure 3.1            Locations of Representative Air Sensitive Receivers

 

Figure 4.1            Locations of Representative Noise Sensitive Receivers

Figure 4.2            Locations of Proposed Temporary Noise Barrier

 

Figure 5.1            Location of Water Quality and Sediment Quality Monitoring Stations

Figure 5.2            Locations of Water Sensitive Receivers

Figure 5.3            Schematic Diagram of Typical Temporary Drainage Measures during Construction Stage

 

Figure 6.1            Location of Sediment Quality Sampling Stations

 

Figure 7.1            Habitat Map

Figure 7.2            Photos of Habitats

Figure 7.3            Project Layout Overlaid on Habitat Map (Close-up)

 

Figure 8.1            Location of the Project Site and Fisheries Resources

Figure 8.2            Oyster Beds and Fish Ponds within Fisheries Assessment Area

 

Figure 9.1            Site Plan

Figure 9.2            Aerial Photo

Figure 9.3            Landscape Elements (LEs)

Figure 9.4            Landscape Character Units (LCUs)

Figure 9.5            Site Location of Sensitive Visual Receivers (SVRs)

Figure 9.6            Sensitive Visual Receiver – VPT1.1A

Figure 9.7            Sensitive Visual Receiver – VPT1.1B

Figure 9.8            Sensitive Visual Receiver – VPT1.1C

Figure 9.9            Sensitive Visual Receiver – VPT1.1D

Figure 9.10          Sensitive Visual Receiver – VPT1.2

Figure 9.11          Sensitive Visual Receiver – VPT2.1

Figure 9.12          Sensitive Visual Receiver – VPT3.1

Figure 9.13          Sensitive Visual Receiver – VPT4.1

Figure 9.14          Landscape Master Plan

Figure 9.15          Landscape Master Plan (Sections)

Figure 9.16          Tree Survey Plan

Figure 9.17          Photomontage – View north west from Wing Jan Kindergarten (Day 1 Unmitigated View)

Figure 9.18          Photomontage – View north west from Wing Jan Kindergarten (Day 1 Mitigated View)

Figure 9.19          Photomontage – View north west from Wing Jan Kindergarten (Mitigated View Year 10)

Figure 9.20          Photomontage – View north from Hang Hau Tsuen (Day 1 Unmitigated View)

Figure 9.21          Photomontage – View north from Hang Hau Tsuen (Day 1 Mitigated View)

Figure 9.22          Photomontage – View north from Hang Hau Tsuen (Mitigated View Year 10)

 

Figure 10.1          Locations of Proposed Air Quality Monitoring Station and Air Sensitive Receivers

Figure 10.2          Locations of Proposed Noise Monitoring Station and Noise Sensitive Receivers

Figure 10.3          Locations of Proposed Water Quality Monitoring Stations